We offer suggestions for arts lovers to discover (and re-discover) established and emerging artists, musicians and performers in and around Delaware. Although we particularly like to celebrate smaller arts organizations and individuals, we cover nearly anything that strikes us or that we feel you should know about. Periodically, we welcome guest bloggers and artists to join us.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

City Theater Company’s 19th Season Rolls to a Close with the Outlandish Xanadu

Photo by Joe del Tufo

By Guest Blogger, Amanda CurryAs
a child of the '80s (1984, to be exact), I was pretty ‘psych’ed ('80s
slang here is vital) to learn that Xanadu
at CTC involves roller skates, Greek mythology converging with pop culture, and
a whole lotta camp. Camp is good, as
long as you know what you’re in for.Come to the Black Box expecting an enlightening and Earth-shattering theatrical
awakening — and this is definitely not the show for you.But, if you’re ready for the ridiculous, over-the-top, so bad-it’s-good, spandex-y roller derby that is Xanadu, you’re in for a treat. Just be sure to bring your legwarmers (I’m actually not kidding.Donning '80s gear appears to be
encouraged).Xanadu marks City Theater
Company’s last show in its 19th season and is based on the 1980
Olivia Newton-John cult classic movie of the same name.The fluffy plot focuses on a Greek muse named
Clio, played by the exuberant Jenna Kuerzi (last seen in December at CTC as Shelley in
Bat Boy: The Musical) who comes from
Mt. Olympus to Venice Beach, California in 1980 on a mission to inspire
the struggling — and comically suicidal — mural artist, Sonny Malone.Sonny is played by the bright-eyed Billy
Kametz, who steals the show with his charming Ralph Macchio physique, boy band-esque
voice and “jorts”. (Yes, that’s jeans+shorts.)Clio shares with her posse of Grecian muse sisters
her plans to disguise herself as an Australian roller girl named Kira — complete
with a horrendous accent — and appeal to the mortal Sonny in an effort to
inspire his art.

Photo by Joe del Tufo

Jealous sisters Calliope and Melpomene conspire to make Clio/Kira
fall in love with doe-eyed Sonny and risk eternal banishment into the
underworld by Zeus.The two plotting sisters are played by the other two stand-out performers of the
evening: The hilarious Dylan Geringer as Calliope who has all the comic timing
of Kirsten Wiig (and pretty bitchin’ dance moves) and Ann Pinto, who boasts a killer voice,
as Melpomene.The most hilariously
ridiculous moment of the show is when Calliope backs up her sister in the song
“Evil Woman”...Both 'robot’ and
‘running man’ dance moves make appearances. Need I say
more? CTC Producing Artistic Director Michael
Gray directs this nine-person roller extravaganza (every part is double-cast with the exception of
the primary leads), with musical direction by Joe Trainor
and choreography by Dawn Morningstar.Spatially, the stage is set up almost in the round, with a ramp
dividing two parts of the audience and a raised platform in the front. A separate
playing space is utilized to the left, all with columns and black cloth that
are pulled to reveal the mirrored, shimmering disco — Xanadu — that Clio/Kira inspires
Sonny to open.The end of the show culminates in Zeus lifting Clio’s banishment and,
you guessed it, the two lovers reuniting.
But not before Clio/Kira makes a grand entrance on a foam Pegasus pulled by a sassy
attendant and the entire cast comes out on roller skates for a final dance
party extravaganza. (Complete with a minotaur with pierced nipples.Also, not kidding.)Musically, the band was spot-on and the voices and harmonies were on point.Additionally,
the choreography was quite seamless; not an easy feat when the central character
is on roller skates for the majority of the show. Perhaps the most enjoyable element is
that this show winks at its own ridiculousity throughout, even referencing its own
double-casting and offering more tongue-in-cheek pop-culture references in
one evening than one could possibly imagine. In short, Xanadu is a whole lot of crazy and a whole lot of fun! Xanadu runs through May 11 at CTC's 'home', The Black Box at OperaDelaware Studios,4 S. Poplar Street, on the Wilmington waterfront. Tickets are available online at city-theater.org or at the box office on show nights, but cash or check only are accepted onsite. See www.city-theater.org.

3 comments:

Roller blades all over the world are used for either sports or as a recreational activity. It has undergone a lot of changes in shapes, sizes and the functional aspect since its invention. It took birth as an alternative to the traditional ice skates to be used during the summer season when there is no snow. There are many variations in the roller blade skates that are being renewed every day.

Delaware Arts Info Contributors

Michelle Kramer-Fitzgerald, creator & manager. Originally from Pittsburgh and a die-hard Penn Stater, Michelle is the Owner of Arts in Media, a Delaware-based arts promotion firm, which launched this blog in June 2009. She enjoys and tries to support every genre of Arts. In her (rare) spare time, she loves to read, cook and occasionally, paint. She lives in Wilmington with her husband, Scott, puppy Eli and previously, Dewey the Art Dog.